Edmonton, Alberta IMAC Report

[crhammond]

Thought I would give a quick report on our first IMAC here...

Here are the results from the Edmonton IMAC.

Basic:
7882.21 Frank Kelly (age 76!)
6701.77 John Zurawell
6001.06 Don McGowan
4324.92 Ernie Reinhold
4174.64 Don Billey (missed day 2)
3892.81 Bob Bacchus

Sportsman: (Insanely close all weekend – never more than 100 pts apart)
6767.94 Chris Hammond
6749.74 Patrick Stubbs

We had a low turn-out with no out-of-towners. But we all had fun and had enough people to fly a contest which is what counts. The weather was rainy on Saturday (but we flew 3 rounds.) Sunday had a strong 90 deg cross wind, especially for the last round of Sportsman which made things interesting.

No carnage, but we did have 1 plane go out of control momentarily and scare the heck out of the judges.

Patrick Stubbs (analogboy) and I were neck and neck all weekend. He is a FAR FAR FAR better pilot than I am – he is sponsored by a bunch of companies (Flight Power, Aerofoilz, some others…) and rumor has it will be at the XFC this year. Anyway – I won by less than the scale pilot rule (just like Mike in Kelowna)… but I’ll take it HA HA. 18pts… that’s like 1 point in 1 maneuver – wow, close!!!

The basic class was basically all Sr’s. They had a lot of fun and every one of them got better as the event went on. John Zurawell changed planes on day 2 from a Twist to an Edge and rocketed up the points like mad… Frank Kelly showed that old pattern skills never die with an absolute domination of the class. I hope I can fly that well at age 76 (heck, I just hope I'm around!)

I got sick of seeing good pilots in the spectator area with no airplane to fly, or some excuse like “I don’t fly well in front of crowds”… but 90% of them swore they would fly next year LOL. Two guys even drove from Grand Prairie “just to watch” – and these are good pilots with past IMAC/Pattern experience!!! {Jack!!!!!} Next year I predict a much better turnout.

We had great prizes and trophies donated by Great Hobbies, Hobby Wholesale and J’Tec RC. We raffled off an Xbox360 and a 50cc Ultimate. The Xbox raised money for the local children’s hospital (not sure how much yet – but I figure at least $600.) The Ultimate made $510 … $255 for the STARS air ambulance and $255 goes towards next year’s IMAC event so we have some money to do something bigger and better.

Anyway – I am tired but happy we actually had an event. I flew WAY WAY better than I did in Kelowna so that is always a good thing. Still a couple of 0's that I really have to get rid of...

Next year I hope everyone in Alberta with some kind of scale aerobatic airplane will come out and try it!!!

I hope to have 2 events in Edmonton - both counting for points and both BEFORE the Tucson cut-off. As soon as I know more I will post the details.

Chris.

[hillmanr2]

Chris you deserve a huge pat on the back!!!!!!!!
8 for a first time turnout is fantastic!!!!!!
Plus you got locals to show up, that is going to make things so much easier in the future. I would know, considering the extremely poor turnout by the locals at the Kelowna event. You should get as good or better turnout next year than we got this year. Sorry again I am a douche-bag and did not make it.

[harv]

now we can have a west VS. east IMAC showdown for all the marbles eh?



harv